Common Name: Twisted Leaf Pine

General Information

Pinus teocote is an evergreen tree with a pyramidal to rounded crown of horizontally spreading branches; it can grow 20 - 35 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 75cm in diameter[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use of its resin, timber and for its medicinal virtues. It is becoming more important for its timber and resin, both of which are harvested on a large scale.
Pinus teocote is the most abundant and widespread species of pine in Mexico. Overexploitation for timber and resin may be problematic in some areas, but overall the population is stable. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

The wood, sawdust and resins from various species of pine can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[].

Botanical References

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Range

Southern N. America - most of Mexico, from Sinaloa to Nuevo León in the north, south to Oaxaca and Chiapas.

Habitat

Rather open forest and woodland, usually associated with Quercus species, often on relatively dry sites with shallow soils[]. Usually found on undulating country and only seldom on flat land; at elevations from 1,100 - 2,700 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	30.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Pinus teocote is a plant of higher elevations in the tropics, where it is found at elevations from 1,100 - 2,700 metres. It can also be grown in the subtropics and warm temperate areas. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 14 - 26°c, but can tolerate 8 - 34°c[]. It can be killed by temperatures of -5°c or lower, although young growth will be damaged at -1°c[, ].Another report says that dormant plants can tolerate short periods with temperatures down to about -10°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,300 - 1,700mm, but tolerates 1,000 - 2,000mm[].
The plant prefers a sunny position[]. Thrives in a light well-drained sandy or gravelly loam[, ]. Sometimes found on calcareous ridges in the wild[]. Dislikes poorly drained moorland soils[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7.5, tolerating 5.5 - 8[]. Established plants can tolerate a drought period of 4 - 6 months[, ].
The ovoid seed cones are 4 - 6cm long and around 2cm wide; they take two growing seasons to mature. They open and shed their seed whilst still attached to the tree, the empty cones persisting on the tree for several years[, ].
Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

A vanillin flavouring is obtained as a by-product of other resins that are released from the pulpwood[].

The seeds of all Pinus species are more or less edible, and some are of good size and make very tasty and nutritious foods, often eaten in quantitiy. Others can be less desireable, either having a strongly resinous flavour, being bitter or, more commonly, rather too small and fiddly to make it very worthwhle even trying to eat them,
We have no specific information of the desireability of this species, though they are rather small (the size given includes the shell)[].
The dark brown seeds are 3 - 5mm long[].

Medicinal

Oil of turpentine, obtained from the oleo-resin of all pine trees, is antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, rubefacient, stimulant and vermifuge[, ]. It is a valuable remedy used internally in the treatment of kidney and bladder complaints and is used both internally and as a rub and steam bath in the treatment of rheumatic affections[]. It is also very beneficial to the respiratory system and so is useful in treating diseases of the mucous membranes and respiratory complaints such as coughs, colds, influenza and TB[].
Applied externally in the form of liniment plasters, poultices, herbal steam baths and inhalers, it is a very beneficial treatment for a variety of skin complaints, wounds, sores, burns, boils etc[].

A tea made from the pitch (resin) of the tree, mixed with other plants, is used in the treatment of cough[].

An oil obtained from the stem is vermifuge and is used to rid the body of Ascaris lumbricoides[].

In general, this plant is used against colds and broken bones[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The needles contain a substance called terpene, this is released when rain washes over the needles and it has a negative effect on the germination of some plants, including wheat[].

Other Uses

A tan or green dye is obtained from the needles[].

The wood is rich in tar - this is obtained by distillation of the oleo-resin. It can be used to make torches, and is also used in making soap[].
The resin is used as an incense in Mexico[].
The trunk is tapped for its resin[]. The resins are obtained by tapping the trunk, or by destructive distillation of the wood[, ]. In general, trees from warmer areas of distribution give the higher yields[].
Oil of Turpentine consists of an average of 20% of the oleo-resin[] and is separated by distillation[, ]. Turpentine has a wide range of uses including as a solvent for waxes etc, for thinning and dissolving varnish and paints, a shoe polish, medicinal etc[, ].
Rosin is also obtained by distillation of pine resin. This is used in paper glue and soap manufacturing, as a constituent of varnishes and paints, and for coating the bows of stringed musical instruments such as violins[, ].
Pitch can also be obtained from the resin and is used for waterproofing, as a wood preservative etc[].

Wood. Yields a good quality lumber[]. The wood is used as sawn timber, mainly for railway sleepers, coarse construction work, containers and crates, particleboard, and also for pulp[].

Propagation

It is best to sow the seed in individual pots in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible otherwise in late winter. A short stratification of 6 weeks at 4°c can improve the germination of stored seed[]. Plant seedlings out into their permanent positions as soon as possible and protect them for their first winter or two[]. Plants have a very sparse root system and the sooner they are planted into their permanent positions the better they will grow[]. Trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, between 30 and 90cm[]. We actually plant them out when they are about 5 - 10cm tall. So long as they are given a very good weed-excluding mulch they establish very well[]. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[].
Cuttings. This method only works when taken from very young trees less than 10 years old. Use single leaf fascicles with the base of the short shoot. Disbudding the shoots some weeks before taking the cuttings can help. Cuttings are normally slow to grow away[].